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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: staff · capital · bulb · lie · pass · temple · pit · safe

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  10. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. When was this ________________ built?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. bulb — for light
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bulb — for light
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. pit — in a race
  10. capital — a big letter
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. capital — a city
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. pit — a hole
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. capital — money
  17. staff — employees
  18. staff — employees
  19. lie — to recline
  20. staff — a stick
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. pass — a permit
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. temple — a place of worship

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com